Robots and Artificial Intelligence

From the early days of cinema, the possibilities of the future and its technological advancements have captured the imaginations behind the camera. As technology increasingly intervenes in our everyday lives and the advances of science go beyond creating humanoid robots but towards cloning and the creation of artificial intelligence, cinema has followed in fear and wonder, predicting new advancements and reacting to current ones.

Big Hero 6(2014)

Action packed Disney animation with a lovable robot and a cool teenage scientist.

The development of robots and their many potential uses is explored in this thrilling film about a young robotics genius who comes up with a highly coveted new invention – but finds himself reliant on a cuddly robot to take care of him.

The Iron Giant(1999)

Superbly animated adaptation following young Hogarth's discovery of a colossal, friendly robot, and his plight to protect him from government agents.

This adaptation of Ted Hughes’s story The Iron Man transplants the action to 1950s America, with a backdrop of Cold War tension with the Space Race and advances in weaponry causing fear. When a huge robot appears in this atmosphere, it takes an innocent young boy to believe he’s capable of more than just destruction.

Frankenweenie(2012)

When Victor loses his beloved pet, he conducts an experiment to bring him back to life. When he succeeds, things escalate beyond Victor's control.

An eccentric disney update of the Frankenstein story with the monster replaced with a beloved pet dog. Shot in black and white and with lots of references to the original 1930s version, it offers an accessible way in to classic film for younger members.

I, Robot(2004)

Nerve-jangling futuristic sci-fi thriller about a detective who suspects a robot has committed murder.

Set in the near future where robots are commonplace, and governed by rules that prevent them from turning against humans. When a murder appears to be have been committed by a robot, the delicate balance of society is dangerously undermined.

Pacific Rim(2013)

Humans have developed sophisticated robots, controlled (but also potentially undermined) by the minds of two pilots, who must maintain focus to defend against the large-scale alien attacks that are dominating the planet.

The Terminator(1984)

A killer cyborg is sent back in time to murder the mother of the man who will save humanity in this Arnie-starring action thriller.

Can a cyborg programmed for destruction be halted in its mission? For the sake of humanity, the man tasked with preventing the Terminator is going to give it his best shot in this high-octane action picture.

A Tree Of Palme(2002)

Futuristic Japanese animation offering a sci-fi spin on the classic tale of Pinocchio, in which a naive robot must transport an egg to the land below.

In this anime, a robot named Palme who has been orphaned by his human guardians is given an important task which he hopes will win him the power to become human and allow him to connect with the girl of his dreams.